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Milk cheese and yoghurtCalcium, vitamin D and protein are the primary drivers of bone health and nutrients like vitamin K, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus are all important for maintaining healthy bones and muscles.

It’s common knowledge that foods rich in dairy are indeed rich in calcium – one 200ml (6.8 fl oz) glass of milk provides about 260mg.

In a recent trial, researchers looked at the effects of increased dairy and protein consumption in 7,195 older adults living in care homes and found that over two years, those in the higher-dairy group had an 11% lower risk of falls and a 46% lower risk of hip fractures.

Because the intervention increased both calcium and protein, the researchers suggest it could be the combination of the two that provided the protective effect.

As for how much to consume, recommendations vary between countries.

In the UK adults are recommended to consume about 700mg of calcium per day. If you’re at risk of osteoporosis, the recommendation is 1,000mg per day. Postmenopausal women meanwhile should aim for 1,200mg.

In the US the recommendation is for adults to consume between 1,000-1,200mg of calcium each day, depending on your age and gender.

Soy

There are plenty of non-dairy food sources that help you get calcium into your diet, says Ward. One of these are soy foods, such as tofu and edamame beans – 100g (3.5oz) of tofu contains 200mg of calcium.

There is emerging evidence that soy foods could reduce the risk of fractures.Soy contains a type of naturally occurring plant compound that resembles oestrogen, called isoflavone. Studies have also found that postmenopausal women with a high intake of soy supplements have better bone density.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and we only need a small amount to get numerous nutrients.

One tablespoon contains 95mg of calcium.They are also rich in omega-3 fats, which help reduce inflammation. This is particularly important, because chronic inflammation can cause the body to break down old bone tissue faster than it can rebuild it.

Over time, this imbalance can increase the risk of osteoporosis. In animal research, rats fed chia seeds for over a year had better bone mineral content than those on a standard diet. While the findings are promising, more research is needed to understand if the same effect would occur in people.

Dried fruit like prunes and figs

You may not immediately think of dried fruit when it comes to bone health, but foods such as figs and apricots are rich in calcium – two dried figs contain about 100mg of calcium. Fresh fruit can also be a source, with one orange containing about 50mg.

Figs and apricots also contain magnesium, which helps support bone formation and mineral balance. Additionally, many fruits are rich in polyphenols, which are natural plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to slow bone breakdown.

Canned fish

One small tin of sardines can provide as much as 30% of the calcium you need per day, (a 60g tin contains about 240mg of calcium).

Canned salmon is also high in calcium, as well as being rich in protein, which plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones, preserving muscle mass and supporting the body’s repair processes.

Bone and muscle should really be thought of as a single system,” says Dawson-Hughes.

“If you can preserve muscle strength, you will lower risk of falls and you will dramatically lower your fracture risk.”

Oily fish is also rich in vitamin D, which helps the body to absorb calcium. A deficiency in this nutrient is associated with fatigue, reduced muscle function and higher fall risk.

Source: BBC